Elena Rybakina clinches first year-end world No. 1 with Tokyo victory ahead of WTA Finals

Elena Rybakina clinched the year-end world No. 1 ranking in Tokyo after defeating Yulia Putintseva, ahead of the WTA Finals.

The result secures the top year-end ranking for Rybakina for the first time.

Her 2026 season included Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and the US Open, bringing her major tally to three, and she also won tournaments in Stuttgart and Ningbo.